[NEWS] Exclusive Interview With JYJ on Their Donation to Japan

Korean Wave Idol group JYJ donated 600 million KRW (approximately 600,000 USD) for the restoration of the damages from the large earthquakes in Eastern Japan. Junsu, Jaejoong, Yoochun (from left in the lecture) also sent their messages of their sorrowful hearts in Japanese on their home page.

The idol group JYJ, comprised of the former TVXQ members Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu, donated 600 million KRW to the international relief organization world Vision in relief funds for the damages due to the large earthquakes in Eastern Japan on the 16th. JYJ, who in their days as TVXQ had risen to be the top of all Korean Wave stars, are still enjoying a constant popularity in Japan after their reorganization into JYJ. On top of the donation, JYJ plan to also enthusiastically lead the effort to build awareness for the seriousness of the damages due to the Japan earthquakes through their 9-city World Tour that begins in Bangkok, Thailand in April 2nd.

They will also carry out a ‘Leave a supportive comment–“Take Heart, Japan”’Campaign on their World Tour SNS website (www.facebook.com/jyjworldtourconcert). They revealed with an interview with this newspaper (Donga) that: “Japan is a place that has fans who have loved us for a long time. The decision to give was only natural, there was no need to even (consciously) decide.”

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Q: Your feelings upon first learning of the news of the earthquakes of the 11th?

Junsu: I felt that something quite serious must have happened because during filming in Tokyo the lights and the windows severely shook.

Yoochun: Because it was the day that Junsu was to come back from Tokyo, above all things we confirmed Junsu’s safety first, and also contacted our friends in Japan.

Q: Reason for deciding to donate?

Jaejoong: Japan is a place with people who have supported us for a long time. The desire to give help to a place that is suffering from such a horrible disaster is (I believe) not just ours but the common belief of all people.

Q: It’s said that you worried a lot on whether to disclose the fact of your donation.

Junsu: Actually we wanted to donate anonymously. But we felt that if we revealed our desire for giving, more people may join us in our effort. Already I heard that fans of JYJ all around the world are giving with their hearts, and felt that if we joined directly we may be able to help (Japan) in a greater way (than otherwise).

Q: How will the donated funds be used?

Junsu: They will be used to provide emergency relief items to Sendai and Fukushima, the areas that suffered the most damages, and also be used for the restoration and the reconstruction of the cities and for the programs of children’s shelters. For the children’s shelters, there will be programs that can heal the hearts of the children who suffered shocks.

Q: The calm response by the Japanese is gathering a lot of attention.

Yoochun: I was moved by how the Japanese so calmly responded (to the situation) even though the shock they received from the unexpected disaster must have been severe.

Q: Words you would like to send to the Japanese Fans?

Jaejoong: I want to tell them that we are always sharing the sadness of their hearts with them. We wish that they will take heart soon and have hope. We will pray for the fast restoration, as if they are our family.

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Lee Byung Won, 700 million KRW Donation; Ahn Jae Wook, 100 million KRW Donation = The donations by the significant figures in the cultural industry to help Japan that has fallen into suffering are continuing. The Korean Wave star Lee Byung Hyun, who is called “Byun-sama,” gave 700 million KRW through the Korean Red Cross. Lee said: “Above all things, (saving) lives come first. I wish that it will help at least a little the Japanese citizens who are suffering from the natural disasters. Ahn Jae Wook, who is enjoying enormous popularity in Japan, also donated 100 million KRW to the Red Cross. The singer Kim Chang Wan will hold a “Help Japan Emergency Non-Profit Concert” with the few critical independent bands that perform in the Hongic University of Seoul. Crying Nut, Chang Ki Hwa and Faces, Seoul Electric Music Organization, Kingston Roodiska and such 17 teams will participate to perform on the 18th, 7pm, in the V-Hall of Hongic University.

Poet Kho-Eun Sends in Manuscript Fees = (He) revealed on Joong Ang Ilbo (2nd page, March 16th) that he will give all of his proceeds for writing “Letter to the Japanese People” as donation to help Japan.